Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1887-01-29
The Weeklv Intelligencer
0be Cai,foSter Jrtflltge,tfer.
LAHuAsrRR. JANUARY %, ,ss7.
The Philadelphia Situation.

Mr.. Banes follows Mr.. Hunter in with.
drawing from the Democratic municipal
ticket In Philadelphia. The situation there
Is attracting general attention, because of
its very peculiar features. The Republican
press Is pretending to be very merry over
tie efforts Of the Democrats to get ticket,
and has much to say about the wavering
and changing, the backing and Alling, of
candidates and leaders. 1t has no occasion
for merriment, and it is doubtful whether
It thinks 1t has. The Democratic leaders
are making it 30 apparent that their earn
est aim is to obtain flrst-class candidates
for the municipal offices, regardless Of their
politics, and candidates that will be strong
est before the people, that they are greatly
strengthening, instead Of weakening the
movement. There is no scramble for Office.
Mr.. Hunter, Republican, was nominated,
and withdrew because he thought he could
not command the united Democratic vote,
a. he probably could not have done That
was good cause for withdrawal. Mr.. Banes
withdrew because he was unwilling TO head
. wholly party ticket, and had only con.
ssnted to run if 1t was made acceptable to
the independent element by nominating a
strong Republican, such as Mr.. Hunter,
to place on the ticket. That was good
reason for his withdrawal.
But these Withdrawals testify TO the sin.
cere purpose to secure non. partisan officers
for Philadelphia.
II this was other than a municipal cleo.
ton, Mr.. Banes would not have presented
such reasons for withdrawal; and Mr.. Hun.
ter, Republican, would not have had the
opportunity to reject the nomination Of g
Democratic convention. We do not be.
iieve in movements independent of political
parties, to elect to political Offices that par.
ties are especially appointed to fill. But
with municipal and judicial Offices, national
and state offices generally have no concern,
and the interests OF the people are best sub
served by looking only to the integrity and
capacity OF the official.
Philadelphia has new charter 10 put in
operation, and the Republican party pro-
poses to inaugurate it on party basis.
There seems to be feeling abroad in the
city that this is not well to be done and
this feeling may be strong enough to defeat
the Republican ticket, with non.par.isan
nominations by the Democratic party, if
its votes can be solidly secured for such
nominations. Obviously this is a problem
- defeacy md rne Guilty, and it is Tot sur.
prising that there should be backing and hll.
ing,veering and turning, to sail between the
dith,ulties in the way. The situation would
seem to be better, with to-day's clear field
than 1t was yesterday, encountered with
aticket that was not as strong as possible
What Is needed is a Republican of standing
In his own party and in the community
who can command the Democratic vote
to stand with Banes upon the ticket. One
OF the many Republican gentlemen who
are urging the independent movement
should step in to carry Its banner in person
and wherefore they should hesitate to de
fend their ideas with their deeds we do no
know.